The Destiny of the Unevangelized Debate

The debate of the destiny of the unevangelized is an issue that both Calvinist and Arminian continue to study. They attempt to answer questions similar to, “what about those who have never heard the gospel?” “Will they be judged simply for living in some faraway place where no missionaries have been?” “What about the people who lived before the time of Christ?” These questions are based on the exclusive claim of Christianity that Jesus is the only way to eternal life. There are four views that have strived to answer these questions. There is the restrictive view, universal opportunity view, postmorten evangelism view and inclusivist view. Each stance offers a Biblical argument, however not every view can be correct. In effort to answer the question, this paper will review each position and explain why of the four views; universal opportunity makes the most theological sense and in no way conflicts with the great commission.

Universal opportunity believes its view stands on two realities. “First the Bible teaches that God is all powerful. He can do whatever he wants. He uses humans when it pleases him. But he does not need them to get the job done. Second, the Bible teaches that God wants everyone to be saved. He takes no delight in the destruction of any soul, however wicked (Ezek. 18:232; 33:11).” This view teaches that God will see to it that all of the unevangelized who seek Him will be presented the Gospel of Christ so they will be able to make a decision before they die. The universal opportunity view embraces the doctrine that not one person is hopelessly condemned without the opportunity of being saved however, these people are not saved until they hear and believe the Gospel of Christ.

In the New Testaments we find t...

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... also lacks Biblical support. The Bible says in Romans 10:9, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” John 5:24 says, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” They are many more scripture that clearly explains that salvation is only through Jesus. The believer is asked to believe and have faith in Jesus Christ.

All four positions offer a Biblical case, yet not every interpretation can be correct. Universal opportunity makes the most theological sense and in no way conflicts with the great commission. Universal opportunity not only upholds Jesus is the only way, the truth and life (John 14:6) but also upholds that the unevangelized must have knowledge of Christ.